Best of the Week: 9 things to do in the days ahead

June 27, 2011|By Ben Crandell, Sun Sentinel

What are we doing this week? Here are some things to consider.

U2:You know the music. And have you ever seen them put on a bad show? So we were going even before they unveiled the wild 360 stage production that has raised the bar for all future stadium shows. “Beautiful Day” and “Elevation” will surely test the rivets on the massive, $25 million superstructure. The indie rock ensembleFlorence and the Machine, led by stylish chanteuse Florence Welch, is an opening act worth getting there early for. The show begins at 7 p.m. Wednesday atSun Life Stadium(2269 Dan Marino Blvd., Miami Gardens). Tickets: $42.25-$146.25 viaTicketmaster.

Transformers: Dark of the Moon:“The Autobots learn of a Cybertronian spacecraft hidden on the Moon, and race against the Decepticons to reach it and to learn its secrets,” says imdb. But you already knew that. The big question is whetherRosie Huntington-Whiteley(left) is an adequate replacement for Megan Fox. We’re thinking the trade took Fox and a lottery-protected first-round pick. Yeah, Rosie has it. Opens Wednesday. Here's the trailer:

Summer Shorts:Jai Rodriguez(right), best known for Bravo’s popular “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy” TV series and Broadway turns in the musicals “Rent” and “The Producers,” is the featured performer inCity Theatre’s award-winning short-play festival that moves to Fort Lauderdale’sBroward CenterThursday-July 3. Tickets: $45. Info:browardcenter.org, 954-462-0222.

Jimmy Shubert:He had a five-year run on the hit sitcom “The King of Queens” and, more recently, had turns on HBO’s “Entourage.” His stand-up DVD “Alive & Kickin” was voted one of the year’s top 10 by Punchline Magazine last year. So, you’re pretty much guaranteed laughs when Shubert performs Thursday-July 3 at theImprov Paradiseat the Hard Rock (5700 Seminole Way, Hollywood). Tickets: $15, $17. Info:improv.com, 954-981-5653.

Dirty South:The Friday performance by the Aussie DJ and producer extraordinaire is notable because it’s the first concert atRevolution Live(100 SW Third Ave., Fort Lauderdale) since the takeover by film crews for the Tom Cruise musical “Rock of Ages.” Tickets for the 18-and-older show are $34-$44 at the box office or viaTicketmaster. Other upcoming shows includeShabba Ranks(Saturday),David Allen Coe(July 7). Info:jointherevolution.netor 954-449-1025.

Rock ‘n’ Roll Beer-B-Que:Dozens of South Florida’s top barbecue restaurants will compete for local celebrity judges on July 3 in this inaugural cook-off outside theSeminole Hard Rock(1 Seminole Way, Hollywood). While you’re noshing food and sloshing beer, you can hear some top local bands as well as headlinerSeven Mary Three( “Cumbersome,” “Water’s Edge” and “Lucky”). Tickets: $35 in advance, $45 at the gate. Info:seminoleparadise.com/beerbque, 954-327-7685

Fourth on Flagler:Notwithstanding their Nashville roots, young heartthrob quartetHot Chelle Raewill put a little pop-rock spin on the western-themed Fourth on Flagler blowout on the West Palm Beach waterfront on July 4. The annual family-friendly holiday event, which this year celebrates the American West, includes a Wild West Mini Rodeo, two stages of live entertainment, the unfurling of a five-story American Flag, and the always dazzling fireworks display at 9 p.m. Admission is free. Info:wpb.org/4th, 561-822-2222.